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vrijdag 25 maart 2016

The Goth tag - Update

Hi everyone! One of my most read posts is The Goth Tag, and since it has been about two years since I made it (and the very poor quality video) I decided to give it an update.

The questions:1. How long have you been goth?
I started out as a more alternative teen, listening to Green Day and Sum41 etc, then evolved to a more metal music taste, and finally (when I discovered goth) went into the style even more. I still listen to a huge variety of music styles, but my main focus is on EBM and Industrial metal. I think I can consider myself goth since I was 15-16 so that maken 8-9 years now.

this was me age 18, having my pictures taken for Miss Metal contest

2. How were you introduced to goth?
When going to my first concerts (Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir and Graspop) I noiticed some people who only had black on, with big hair and loads of eyeliner, and I just loved their style. I was only 14-15 at the time, and started talking to them They told me about goth, because I had never heard of it before. When I came home, I looked up more about the subculture and parties they gave my flyers of, and never looked back.

My first introduction to the goth subculture: at Graspop 2007 (age 15)

3. What gothic subgenre would you put yourself in?
It varies on my mood:
My clothing style varies between the cyber goth, industrial goth, military goth and traditional goth, really depending on the way I feel like dressing and how much or little effort I want to put in my look.My music style is also between al those genres, with metal added to the mix.
You can say I am my own unique type of goth, as most goths are.

One of the first photo shoots I did, I was 17.

4. What do you believe to be the bases of the gothic subculture?
I think the goth subculture stand on art, music and litterature. In my opinion being artsy is something that all goths (or most goths) can relate to, in their own unique way. DIY clothes, making their own music, make-up, ...)

5. What do you dislike about being goth?
The negativity that some people associate with it, and the fact that it isn't accepted in a work environment. I al allowed to have a few visible piercings etc, wear black all the time, but have to keep it low on make-up etc.

What is good is that more and more people know someone who is goth and slowly but certainly, the opinions start to become less afraid and more accepting.

Me at a work/school related contest. This is what I look like when I have to look socially acceptable.

6. What do you parents think of it?
I changed my style to the goth subculture when I lived at my moms, so she saw me go through the entire process. She never minded me being goth, she even helped me to know more about it: buying magazines etc. She used to be punk when she was younger, so that explains a lot. Now she just doens't want me not to get the job I love because of my personal style, so she's against piercings and tatoos.

My dad didn't see me go through the entire process: he just saw me when I was 17 and had already dyed my hair black etc. He made a lot of comments about it, but it was more of a not understanding than a being against it point of view. He also helped me buy things online so I could have the cool things I wanted but couldn't find in actual stores.

So both of my parents were really cool about it, and really accepting. The only thing that changed is when I was in university, they wanted me to change my style to something more neutral and acceptable so I would be able to find a decent job...

Me age 18 while participating in the Miss Metal contest.

7.Eyebrows or no eyebrows?
I have eyebrows. Why? Because I don't have the time to draw them on every day and I think it would just look weird on me. I do love the shaved eyebrows that are drawn back on, but don't think I could ever do that. I started experimenting with different color eyebrows, and love the look. So maybe one day...

8. What is your favorite band?
I can't actually give you one single band that I love, but I can give you my curren ttop 3: Suicide Commando, Soman and Rob Zombie.

9. Your opinion on Marilyn Manson?
I think Marilyn Manson isn't especially goth, first of all, his music is more Metal..

I just don't like the negative vibe that's around him, because he was over mediatised and associated with crimes he had nothing to do with. When people who don't know goth talk about the subculture, they often think we are like him... which most of us obviously aren't.

10. What were your baby bat days like?
In my baby bat days I lived in a small village in the midle of nowhere, and did not even know about goth clubs etc. I grew into the goth subculture with music, books and the website vampire freaks.

This made me able to develop my own style without getting judged by other goths, since we did not have any! At school, I was part of a small group of alternative people (metalheads, emo's, japan lovers,...) And I fit in perfectly, I felt in place with those people.

When I started going out, I already had my own style, and of course other people inspired me. But they did not make we want to completely change my style to theirs. I also knew a lot about the subculture and in conversations I wasn't seen as a baby bat at all.

One of the first pictures I have of myself in my 'goth' style, I was 14-15 I think.

Me now (age 23)

So I hope you all enjoyed this updated version of The Goth Tag. I will leave the old blogpost online, but will take the old video offline as this one has aired. If you have any questions, please ask in the comment section, and if you do this tag as well, please let me know so I can go and have a look.